Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-06-01
miscellaneous &fadina.
SAVED AT THE GALLONS.

On III ILL
The story of the reprieve of a Tatnall
county, Ga, murderer the other day' al
ready briefly told in the ENQUIRER, is
full of dramatic Incidents. The man whose
name is Leggett, was under sentence OF
death for the murder of his wife. He was
to have been hanged IN the 18th OF last
month. Reidville, the county seat, where
the hanging was to have taken place,
is t%wenty-four miles from the railroad.
When, therefore, Leggetts attorney, Will
liam Clifton, of Savannah, received on the
Thursday before the hanging a delayed
package from Reidyille signed by doctors
and officials, declaring that Leggett was
undoubtedly insane, he had to act quick
ly to save him from the hengman. He
telegraphed to Governor Gordon, only
to find that the Governor was on the train
going to Macon. Other kilograms await
ed the Governor, in Macon, which he an
swered by ordering Leggett's reprieve.,
On Thursday morning early the order
respiting Leggett until June II was drawn
up and signed Mt a private house in Ma
con, the necessary blanks having been
taken to Macon for that purpose. Then a
telegram was first sent to the Sheriff of
Tatnall county ordering him to suspend
the execution, and stating that the official
order was on its way. The telegram to
Reidville was sent to Johnson's Station
on the Savannah, Florida and Western
railroad, and from there had to be taken
by messenger about forty miles across the
country to its destination. AS q double
precaution Colonel Clifton was telegraph
ed at Savannah to proceed to Reidsville at
once and deliver the. order in person. No
train left Savannah before evening. COL
onel Clifton answered that he would take
that train for Reidsville, and would get
there in time if such a thing were posi-
BILE.
The first twenty miles of the journey
was through the swamps and lowlands OF
Liberty county, and the remaining tWen-
ty miles in Tatnall county lay through
dense pine woods. .Advices just received
tell the story of the eventful ride. Armed
with the Governors reprieve, the law
yer's work was only begun. Taking the
midnight train for Walthamville, Mr..
Clifton reached the station about 4 A.. NJ.
From there he had to cross through forty
four miles of swamp and sand before noon
to save his clients neck. He secured two
fine horses and a light carriage and start
ed out at a full gallop.
Meanwhile the country people began TO
pour into Reidville. 1t was the first
hanging IN fifty years, q people caIie
from all directions. They climbed up into
trees, on housetops and wherever a view
could be had. The murderer made prep
aration for death, and had no idea that
any correspondence had been held with
the Governor. At 10 o'clock the preacher
called upon him, with whom he prayed
and to whom he made full confession of
the crime. At II: 90 the sheriff appeared,
and the march to the gallows, 800 yards
away, was begun. The murderer ascend
ed with a firm step, his feet and arms were
bound, the black cap was adjusted and the
sheriff was in the act of cutting the
rope when a voice sang out, "For Gods
sake STOP"
The sheriff looked up and saw the ap-
preaching carriage, its occupant gesticulat-
ing frantically. 1t was Mr.. Clifton, who
had appeared only just in the nick OF
time.
1t was ten minutes before the prisoner
could be convinced that he had not made
the fatal plunge. He was dazed complete
ly. When he did realize that he was still
living his prayers of gratitude were pro-
fuse. 1t was about the closest call ever
man had.